Can this be signed electronically?

Yes; electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention criteria are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on the document content and state law. Deeds, some powers of attorney, and certain sworn statements often require notarization or witnesses.

Do consumer-facing records need extra disclosures?

Yes; consumer-facing electronic records require ESIGN consumer consent disclosures, proof the consumer can access electronic records, and an opportunity to withdraw consent where applicable.

How to fix errors after signing?

Minor typos often require an amendment or corrected counterpart with fresh signatures; material mistakes may need rescission and re-execution under guidance from legal counsel.

Is remote notarization acceptable?

Many states permit remote online notarization (RON) with identity proofing and audio-video recording; state rules vary so verify the applicable notary laws.

How long should I keep signed copies?

Retain for the active term plus applicable statutory periods: IRS 3 years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), SEC and others as required.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Getting Started Document

Business Getting Started Document

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS GETTING STARTED DOCUMENT

This Business Getting Started Document (the Agreement) is entered into effective as of (Effective Date), by and between:

Company Name: Company Address: Service Provider Name: Service Provider Address:

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Company is engaging Service Provider to perform certain business startup, advisory, operational setup and initial implementation services as set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Service Provider represents that it has the experience, personnel and resources necessary to perform such services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Service Provider shall provide the services and deliverables described below. Services shall be performed in a professional manner consistent with industry standards. Any material changes to the scope require written amendment signed by both parties.

Detailed Scope of Work (describe tasks, deliverables, milestones):

2. PAYMENT TERMS

As consideration for the services, Company shall pay Service Provider the amounts and according to the schedule set forth below.

Total Fee (USD): Payment Schedule / Milestones:

Late payments shall incur interest at a rate of on the outstanding balance, compounded monthly, or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower. Company shall also be responsible for collection costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, for overdue amounts.

3. TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice delivered at least days prior to the effective termination date. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach which remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information means non-public business, technical and financial information disclosed by either party that is designated confidential or that reasonably should be understood to be confidential given the nature of the information and the circumstances of disclosure. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) is or becomes publicly known through no breach of this Agreement; (b) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction; (c) is independently developed without use of Confidential Information; or (d) is required to be disclosed by law, provided the disclosing party gives prompt notice and cooperates with the other party to seek protective measures.

Exceptions or special handling instructions for Confidential Information:

Each party shall use at least the same degree of care to protect the other's Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information of similar importance, but in no event less than reasonable care. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement, each party will return or destroy the other party's Confidential Information as requested in writing.

5. REPRESENTATIONS; WARRANTIES; LIABILITY

Each party represents that it has full right, power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Service Provider warrants that services will be provided in a competent and workmanlike manner. EXCEPT FOR THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION, SERVICE PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AND EACH PARTY'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS PAID BY COMPANY TO SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT DURING THE PRIOR SIX MONTHS.

6. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. Exclusive venue for any dispute shall be the state or federal courts located within that State, subject to mandatory arbitration where mutually agreed in writing.

7. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT

This Agreement, including any schedules and attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether written or oral. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by duly authorized representatives of both parties.

8. ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Primary Company Contact: Primary Service Provider Contact: Billing Address (if different):

The parties acknowledge that they have read this Agreement, understand its terms and conditions, and agree to be bound by it.

Company Name:

By:

Date:

Service Provider Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Getting Started Document Is

A Business Getting Started Document is a standardized onboarding form used to collect essential company and contact details, confirm legal entity and tax identifiers, outline initial scope or services, and capture authorizations and signatures needed to begin a business relationship. It centralizes information that ordinarily appears across incorporation, vendor setup, client onboarding, or contractor intake workflows so processing, compliance checks, and routing can begin promptly. When completed accurately it creates a reproducible record suitable for storage, audit, and eSignature under U.S. law.

Why this document matters for operations and compliance

A complete Business Getting Started Document reduces onboarding delays, ensures tax and payment setup (EIN/W-9 accuracy), establishes authority to sign, and documents consent for electronic records and signatures under ESIGN and UETA. It also creates a consistent record for retention, audit trails, and downstream workflows.

Who typically completes and relies on this form

The Business Getting Started Document is used across teams that touch onboarding: sales, procurement, legal, HR, finance, and vendor management.

Sales and account managers collect client contact, billing, and scope details to start delivery.
Finance teams verify tax IDs, payment terms, and invoicing contacts for AP/AR setup.
Legal and procurement confirm signatory authority, governing law, and contract exhibits before execution.

Core parts to include for a professional onboarding packet

A well-structured Business Getting Started Document organizes identity, authority, commercial terms, and signature elements so reviewers can act without follow-up.

Company Identity

Legal name, DBA, jurisdiction of formation, and EIN or Tax ID to match government and financial records and avoid backup withholding or payment delays.

Primary Contacts

Names, titles, direct phone numbers, and business email addresses for billing, operations, and legal notices to enable timely routing and dispute resolution.

Scope Summary

Concise description of initial services, deliverables, or goods and any start/termination dates so accounting and delivery teams can align expectations.

Commercial Terms

Payment terms, invoicing cadence, tax treatment, and any required insurance or indemnity obligations the receiving party must meet.

Authority & Certifications

Statement of signatory authority, corporate resolution or power of attorney details if required, and any required regulatory attestations.

Signatures & Dates

Signature blocks for each party with printed name, title, signature, and date fields; space for notarization or witness lines if the transaction requires them.

Step-by-step: how to complete and route this document

Use a linear workflow to collect, verify, sign, and archive the document to avoid rework and ensure legal validity.

01

Prepare the form: Populate known fields and attach required exhibits.
02

Verify identifiers: Confirm EIN/TIN, business name, and addresses match official records.
03

Obtain signatures: Collect signatures in the specified order and record dates.
04

Archive and notify: Save signed copy to records and notify stakeholders of completion.

Typical online workflow settings and recommended values

Configure these settings when moving the document into an eSignature platform to match security and business requirements.

Field	Configuration
Signature Type	Email link with audit trail \| optional SMS code
Authentication Level	Email-only default; use SMS/KBA for higher risk
Routing Order	Sequential for approvals; parallel for concurrent signatures
Retention Export	Auto-save PDF/A to document repository after completion

Technical compatibility and file formats to consider

Select a platform that supports common formats, integrates with your systems, and meets your authentication needs.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and Excel supported for import/export
Integrations: Works with Salesforce, NetSuite, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Authentication: Email, SMS, KBA, or SSO depending on plan

Where to send or file the completed document

Define clear destinations for the signed document so operational teams can act without searching multiple systems.

Internal Records: Store a signed PDF in the central document repository with indexing tags.
Finance/Accounts: Send a copy to AP/AR for billing and payment setup.
Legal Department: Forward for contract review and archive with legal hold if needed.
External Parties: Provide executed copies to counterparties and regulatory bodies as required.

Typical timelines and internal deadlines to track

Set internal SLA targets so onboarding completes predictably and obligations are met on time.

Initial Submission:

Requester provides completed form within 7 calendar days of request.

Verification Window:

Finance/legal verifies identifiers within 3 business days of receipt.

Signing Period:

Parties sign within 10 business days unless expedited.

Notarization Lead Time:

Allow 1–2 business days for in-person or remote notarization.

Final Archival:

Archive signed record within 2 business days after completion.

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the document

Using a trading name instead of the legal entity name, which can mismatch tax records and delay payments.
Missing or incorrect EIN/TIN entries that trigger IRS backup withholding or require corrected forms.
Failing to confirm signer authority or attach a corporate resolution where the signer lacks clear delegated power.
Skipping required consent disclosures for consumer-facing electronic records, which can invalidate electronic acceptance under ESIGN.

Key consequences of errors or noncompliance

Backup Withholding: 24% withholding may apply

IRS Penalties: Per-form fines up to $330 or higher

Contract Invalidity: Unauthorized signatures risk unenforceability

HIPAA Exposure: PHI breaches can trigger fines

Delayed Payments: Incorrect data delays AP setup

Audit Findings: Missing records increase compliance risk

eSignature vendor snapshot for Business Getting Started Document workflows

Cost and feature differences matter when selecting an eSignature provider for high-volume onboarding; signNow is listed first for comparison consistency.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Practical tips to speed completion and reduce errors

Apply these practices to streamline onboarding and reduce downstream corrections.

Standardize the template

Use a single approved template with required fields and controlled options to avoid inconsistent entries and speed reviewer checks.

Validate identifiers

Cross-check EIN/TIN and business name against IRS or formation records before accepting the document to prevent withholding or payment issues.

Require signer title

Capture printed name and title and keep a record of authority (board resolution or certificate) when the signer is not an officer.

Preserve the audit trail

Keep the eSignature provider’s certificate of completion, timestamps, and IP logs with the signed document for evidentiary support.

Real-world examples of how organizations use the document

These brief case snapshots show practical outcomes when the onboarding process is standardized and recorded.

Martin Properties — Field Operations

Martin Properties adopted an online onboarding packet to replace in-person forms and reduce turnaround time.

Field teams use mobile signing on-site.
"I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Fertility Centers of Illinois — Clinical Intake

Clinical intake used a unified form for patient and billing data to reduce duplicate entry.

Staff verify insurance and consent before scheduling.
"The airSlate SignNow team has been exceptional, responsive, the API has been great, and we're extremely happy that we chose airSlate SignNow as a company."

Frequently asked questions about completion and electronic signing

Answers to common questions on legal validity, notarization, and correcting mistakes when using electronic workflows.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes; electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, provided intent, consent, attribution, and record retention criteria are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on the document content and state law. Deeds, some powers of attorney, and certain sworn statements often require notarization or witnesses.
Do consumer-facing records need extra disclosures?
Yes; consumer-facing electronic records require ESIGN consumer consent disclosures, proof the consumer can access electronic records, and an opportunity to withdraw consent where applicable.
How to fix errors after signing?
Minor typos often require an amendment or corrected counterpart with fresh signatures; material mistakes may need rescission and re-execution under guidance from legal counsel.
Is remote notarization acceptable?
Many states permit remote online notarization (RON) with identity proofing and audio-video recording; state rules vary so verify the applicable notary laws.
How long should I keep signed copies?
Retain for the active term plus applicable statutory periods: IRS 3 years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA 6 years (45 CFR §164.530(j)), SEC and others as required.

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